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Nestor Aparicio

For the love of baseball, hockey and Bobby Valentine…

Nestor Aparicio

I had a chance to go to the Orioles game tonight. I WANTED to go to the Orioles game tonight. But these are the toughest nights of the year. Hockey vs. baseball… As many of you know, I have some hockey friends and they wanted to watch the Flyers-Penguins game. (OK, truth be told, Hockey Meg and Kenny Ballgame talked me out of the Orioles game and saved me from donating $8 to Peter Angelos!) I am going to make a donation on Wednesday with Bob Haynie, Drew Forrester and Phil Stern (UMBC Women’s Hoops coach). I’m calling a 12:30 cocktail summit at Regi’s. All are welcome to adjourn at the main bar on Light Street. We will hit the upper left field reserves right around game time. So, instead of hitting The Yard tonight, I watched two periods of what must be a frustrating time for anyone wearing an orange Filthy jersey. I’ve hated the Flyers most of my adult life. But I’m kinda pulling for them to win because Terry Murray (a really good guy) would get his name on the Stanley Cup and I love Terry Murray! The Flyers stunk late in the game, apparently. But I

Bitter doesn’t equal better…

Nestor Aparicio

I saw a really great story tonight on the web about baseball, the people who love baseball and a smallish town in Colorado. ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick brought this story to life and if you haven’t read it, you should. So, what are you waiting for? Sometimes the best part of the connection of being on the web is when people recommend great stories to each other like a referral service. This is a sad story that is working toward a happier ending. (BTW: Kudos to the Hagerstown Suns for their involvement!) Sometimes all of the hate and mean-spiritedness I see in the “real” world and especially on the web make me think there aren’t guys like Rai Henniger. Then, lo and behold, a good man with a sad story and a hard road and a bad hand come along with a really positive attitude. “You can get better or you can be bitter, but you can’t be both.” Words to live by… I hope I get to meet and chat with Henniger someday. We both already have something in common: we love baseball! Anybody feel like going to the O’s-Sox game on Tuesday night? We’ve already got a posse for

Random thoughts on the Orioles…

Nestor Aparicio

First, Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers and moms out there… My Mom will be 89 on July 26th so I’m always grateful for another May Sunday with her. And yes, she spent the day watching the Orioles game, same as I did. By the way, it’s nice to see MLB get into the spirit of things and doing the “pink bat” thing on Mother’s Day. It was also a nice touch seeing the MASN crew work to get “shout outs” from all of the players to their moms and the mothers of their children today. Mark Viviano is working hard for Mr. Angelos’ money today from Kansas City, which is still my favorite AL ballpark. (I didn’t know he worked for MASN?). Good to see this Orioles Reach program actually reaching out with Chick-Fil-A appearances for Daniel Cabrera and Sports Boosters speeches by Dave Trembley this week. It’s almost as though the team has started taking WNST’s advice regarding how to treat the fans. Now if only they had some people watching or coming to the games… A few random thoughts from watching the game today: In the second inning, Buck Martinez actually started a praising rant

Meet the new boss…

Nestor Aparicio

Yesterday John Harbaugh made the first of many decisions that Brian Billick would have never made. On a dreary, 52-degree May afternoon in the driving rain, Harbaugh took his team out onto the main backfield at the Bellagio and welcomed the veteran players to the “new” Baltimore Ravens and the rookies to “Camp Harbaugh.” You can gripe or choose to commend Billick’s sensibilities as an NFL head coach, but his reigning philosophy was to never put the players at risk of getting injured in May. If Billick were the coach, they would’ve been in the bubble yesterday. And, certainly, you can take Harbaugh’s stance  on Friday that “it’s football” – a little rain never hurt anyone. And you wouldn’t be wrong either way. It’s not about a right way or a wrong way, it’s just a “different” way. But if there were any remaining doubts, the Ravens’ players found out yesterday (if they didn’t already know it), there’s a new sheriff in town and things will be done a different way under Harbaugh. Honestly, I expected to hear more players bitching about the conditions of their first team mini-camp practice yesterday, but at least on the face of it they

Who is this 6-foot-9 mystery man named Daniel Cabrera?

Nestor Aparicio

Another quality start, another victory and another opportunity to flip flop on Daniel Cabrera for any of us confused by this six-game run of prosperity. Last night he took the mound in Kansas City, threw strikes and left with a three-hit complete game in a 4-1 win over the Royals. Will the real Daniel Cabrera please stand up? Or IS this the real Cabrera? Has Rick Kranitz reached him a way that Leo Mazzone and those before him could not? Is this an aberration, this 3-1 record and Jim Palmer impersonation? Since the Orioles went into the tank over the past two weeks, it seems as though the enthusiasm for the team has waned a bit as well. They’re under .500. It’s hard to stay awake late every night watching sleepy games from the West Coast, especially from Oakland where the game feels like a “friends and family” gathering reminiscent of the Camden Yards endeavors of April. But Cabrera’s effort last night must be recognized. Here’s the line: 9IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1W, 7K Manager Dave Trembley called it “his best effort.” Certainly, Peter Schmuck will be printing a retraction, no? I probably stand in that group that will never

Mark Teixeira and green and tomatoes

Nestor Aparicio

I’ve been down from blogging a bit lately (a lot of internal work and I had a death in the family last week). But today, I’m selling a bunch of advertising (by the way, if you own a business and want to be part of a cool promotion we’re doing next month, email me: nasty@wnst.net). And I’ve been doing some web reading this afternoon (reminds me of watching Phil Jackman cutting up newspapers in the press box of the Capital Centre in 1988…he was a MAJOR clipper of stories from New York papers!)… God, I love the internet…so much more efficient is life with the click! One story I just saw on SI.com written by Jon Heyman about Mark Teixeira that grabbed my interest. There’s a lot of opining I could do and add to it, but it stands on its own as a thought-provoking idea. If somehow, someway and with a BUNCH of money (think 10-20% MORE than the Yankees, Mets or Mariners will give him) they could grab him, it would be the biggest of big coups for the team. The Orioles clearly need to do SOMETHING with the $50 million-plus a year they’re siphoning from the fans

The chase for Gavin Floyd’s no hitter…

Nestor Aparicio

As I watch Gavin Floyd sit alone in the corner of the dugout awaiting the final three outs of a potential no hitter, I start to “geez” about watching no hitters. It is the Holy Grail, the last badge of legitimacy, luck, courage and honor in being a baseball fan. It’s a random occurrence and you can NEVER predict when or where it’s going to happen. Tonight, I watched a little of the Red Sox win over Detroit, a game where Tim Wakefield’s knuckler was working. Detroit, already hurting in a bad way, managed just three hits tonight. But I was all ready for some Orioles baseball tonight (if they lose tonight they might fall below .500 for good this year, who knows?).  At 9:55 p.m., I accidentally turned to ESPN and lo behold: Floyd is working a no no! I do not know Gavin Floyd. I met him once and chatted with him in the locker room of the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park (same place where the game is being held tonight). It was at the 2003 All Star Weekend “Futures” game. Seemed like a nice Baltimore kid. We knew some of the same people. I knew

A weekend of sports…

Nestor Aparicio

For anyone wondering if John Harbaugh has the ear and the participation of his new team, his actions over the weekend proved his head and his heart are aligned. While most of us were asleep on Saturday morning, Harbaugh covertly gathered virtually every member of the organization – players, coaches and front office staff — onto four buses and trudged them down to the Inner Harbor at daybreak to run a 5K race to benefit amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Running the race, inspired by former Ravens linebacker O.J. Brigance’s courageous battle against the disease, was a last-minute surprise for all but the participation was amazing. Many brought spouses and kids to run the race. See the videos at WNST.net.   Have the Ravens ever drafted a guy with more intrigue than Joe Flacco? Everyone wants to know more about the Div. 1-AA quarterback and whether he’s the savior of our purple Sundays. In the past nine days I’ve also had dozens of people mention their Blue Hen pride. Who knew there were so many Delaware grads around Baltimore? The Orioles snuck into and out of town so quickly this week that, once again, no one seemed to notice. Three games

Kentucky Derby picks…

Nestor Aparicio

I’ve been away for a couple of days and haven’t had a chance to write about the Kentucky Derby. So, an hour before the race, I needed to vent as a I sit here watching a flawless looking day at Churchill Downs. I’ve been to 7 Kentucky Derbies and it’s by FAR my favorite sports event to attend. If you’ve never been, you should go. It’s accessible, fun and fits almost any travel budget (you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get in…). The television coverage (as usual) has been sensational. I’m insanely jealous right now because I wish I were there today. Did I mention how much I love the Kentucky Derby? Here are my usual bad picks: Exacta box: Adriano & Z Fortune. I’d also box and a trifecta of Adriano, Z Fortune, Eight Belles and Big Brown. I think it’ll be VERY hard for Big Brown to win outta the 20 hole. It hasn’t been done in 75 years. Back to the great Tom Hammond…  

An Average Joe?

Nestor Aparicio

Many of you know it (and some of you don’t), but I’m the new sports columnist for the daily paper aimed at the younger set, B. I write a short column for them every Monday and Friday. The newspaper is free. It’s kinda ubiquitous around town the last two weeks. It’s orange. There are signs everywhere. And they called me a few months ago and asked me to write for them and I said “yes.” The column is called, appropriately I think, Be More. As a kid all I EVER wanted to be was the lead columnist of The Sun. Instead, I’m the lead columnist for “a Baltimore Sun publication.” Who knew that when I left 16 years ago, they’d somehow invite me back? So, why not? It’s been fun so far and their audience of folks younger than me is a whole new world for me. Here’s a little preview of what’ll be in their editions tomorrow: So the draft is over, and if you’re a Ravens fan like me, the weekend all comes down to one thing: Can Joe Flacco be a franchise quarterback for the next decade for the purple birds? Will there be a parade and

Wanna know more about the Ravens’ draft picks?

Nestor Aparicio

The day started early for the Ravens, with the selection of Miami ILB Tavares Gooden with pick No. 71. Click here for more on Gooden… Click here for video of Gooden at work with the ‘Canes… This pick will clearly address a coming need, with Bart Scott entering a contract year and the coming sunset of Ray Lewis’ career. (Of course, you can fill in the blanks here with your own conjecture about Lewis’ coming contract demands for an extension in the October of his career.) At at any rate, the Ravens clearly found great value in ANOTHER undersized University of Miami linebacker. ******* The Ravens just selected safety Tom Zbikowski from Notre Dame with pick No. 86. Click here for info on Zbikowski… Zbikowski has a history of boxing. YES…BOXING! Here are some links… Zbikowski boxing photo gallery here… The video of Zbikowski’s bout with Robert Bell is here… And when ESPN showed highlights, one of them was of Zbikowski making plays against Navy right on the field at M&T Bank Stadium. And like any good young man these days, Zbikowski also has a myspace page here… Zbikowski is known as a hard hitter, good tackler but did a

Blast win MISL Championship again!!!

Nestor Aparicio

It was quiet and not without television difficulties, but the Baltimore Blast won their fourth MISL championship in six years last night in Milwaukee. Read Patrick Johnson’s account of the evening here. Denison Cabral scored three goals and the Blast battled back from a 6-2 early deficit against La Ra Za at the crazy neutral site game in Wisconsin. Carlos Garcia also had a pair of goals and Sagu made 14 saves to preserve the Blast’s victory.  

I love the NFL Draft

Nestor Aparicio

Unpredictability. Differing opinions. Mel Kiper’s hair. Cold beer and great food at Looney’s North in Bel Air. Another first-round quarterback. Trades up and back, all over the place, and in the strangest circumstances and situations. Even drunk Jets fans screaming at the television cameras all day. Saturday had it all! And, with the 10-minute first-round clock this year, it all happened kinda lightning fast (especially from a process that sometimes felt glacial in its pace in the past). And the seven-minute second round picks almost made the entire process (and I’m not crazy about this 3 p.m. start) feel a little like “speed dating.” If you want to see how we spent our day, just click on wnsTV for videos from Looney’s Pub in Bel Air, where there was electricity in the air. Alas, you know the story. The Ravens traded from No. 8 to No. 26 and then back to No. 18, where Delaware’s QB Joe Flacco was their man. Sure, they would’ve LOVED to have had Matt Ryan, but Mike Smith and the Atlanta Falcons had other plans. For the Ravens, the questions now begin. And like every other draft, it will take years to evaluate yesterday’s flurry

Now HERE’S an owner with class & dignity…

Nestor Aparicio

A sad story that I saw on the web, but I thought I’d pass it along. John McConnell — the name might not really mean anything to you which is EXACTLY why I’m passing this story along — died today in Columbus, Ohio. For those of you who know about my passion for hockey, here’s another example of some of the cool people who fall in love with and get involved with hockey. Just read the story…and see what kind of legacy “Mr. Mac” (incidentally, that’s what the entire neighborhood called my Pop) left that city. A very powerful story, I think… I never met him, never knew him or even read his story before five minutes ago (although I know Doug MacLean who worked for him until last year). He sounds like he was a cool, old dude. I wish I had met him and chatted with him while he was still here.    

Orioles Magic grows; NFL Draft looms…

Nestor Aparicio

While most of us are fast asleep in the middle of the night, the Orioles continue to win on the West Coast. Look at those AL East standings this morning, and you can still play fantasy games about what would happen if the team could go 13-9 over the NEXT 22 games. And then again. And so on… That’s nearly a .600 clip, and that would make for quite the interesting summer here in Baltimore. (I’m still not convinced that if they win people will really pay money to come back to Camden Yards, but that’s for another day…) And they’re really not finding easy ways to victory. Last night, after a poor outing and questions about Adam Loewen’s health, it took a five-run comeback and an 8th inning homer by Brian Roberts to lead them to a late-night win. On Wednesday night, they got one of those rare efforts from Daniel Cabrera (eight innings, five hits , five strikeouts and ZERO walks) that leads them to believe he could be a Cy Young candidate. Sure, it’s early, but over the first month of the season, the young Orioles have proven to be quite resilient and exceedingly fun to watch

‘Rocking The Red’ leaves me feeling blue…

Nestor Aparicio

The ending could’ve been a whole lot better, especially for what an amazing and memorable event it was. And for a little while, I felt like I was in the twilight zone and it was 1987 all over again. I was sitting on the roof of a Game 7 Capitals home game, and five feet to my right was Phil Jackman, the same guy I sat with 21 years ago when a Game 7 overtime went on all night. This time – mercifully but not benevolently – it ended quickly and abruptly with Joffrey Lupul’s goal at 6:06 of the first overtime, squashing the Caps’ series comeback from 3-1 and their season. The initial penalty call on Tom Poti was questionable to begin with, and what a way to have a season end on a cheap call like that? But, honestly, that’s been the story of the Capitals’ existence since 1974. Good enough – in the minds of their fans — but never left standing at the end of the dance. This team truly wasn’t good enough to win a Stanley Cup as assembled, but they were certainly good enough to win last night’s game. And the referees, as Poti

NHL Game 7 is as good as it gets in sports world

Nestor Aparicio

Tonight is a VERY special night. I have tickets to Game 7 of a Stanley Cup playoff series and it’s actually happening. I purchased tickets about 10 days ago, not knowing if, when or how this $50 I’ve invested is going to take root and become a memory. When the seconds wound down on the clock last night at the Wachovia Center and the Caps (really, Alex Ovechkin, almost single-handedly) beat the Flyers to force the final whistle tonight, I knew that something good and fun was going to happen. There is NOTHING that compares to the atmosphere at a Game 7 Stanley Cup playoff game. The only thing that can TOP it is a Game 7 overtime. And that’s still a possibility. Some of you are new to WNST.net and don’t know about my history with hockey and the Caps. Some of you have been on this ride for 16 years and have seen the entire trip – from the Skipjacks to the Bandits, from the Caps of Landover to the Craps of the MCI Center. I’ve done Stanley Cup finals. I’ve done puck buses. I’ve written about, watched and enjoyed hockey all of my life (much to my

Should the O’s chase Frank Thomas?

Nestor Aparicio

I’m just saying… He’s available. He’s pissed. He’s got to improve some part of this lineup, somehow, some way. But will he have other options? Does anyone want him? (Certainly, the National League isn’t a real option…) What about this $10 million kick in clause for 2009? Who is on the hook for that? Just the first few thoughts now that he’s been released for about an hour… Drew will be on a rampage with this one tomorrow morning, I’m sure. ******* I’ve been watching a LOT of hockey this week. My beloved Nashville Predators were eliminated about 20 minutes ago after a hard-fought six-game series. They couldn’t create offense, their goalie was fabulous, but in the end the class and strength of the Detroit Red Wings was too much. They’ve never won a playoff series. It’s been painful to be a fan, but I’m sure these are the “character building” years. ******** I also did a lot of Orioles watching this weekend, thinking they had a chance to pull a sweep today. I’m just shocked that they got nine innings in given the forecast. And they almost made it all the way through. John Harbaugh and Rex Ryan looked

A fan from the O’s stands in Sect. 384

Nestor Aparicio

My buddy Matt wants to write a blog on WNST.net. At least, I think he does, anyway. While I spent my evening watching the game in glorious MASN HD, Matt went to the game last night and I found this in my inbox this morning. He asked me to post it as a “guest” blog (whatever that is, LOL?). Here it is:   What an experience last night was.  I get a call from a buddy at 5:15 saying he has two nosebleeds for the game.  I, somehow or another, get approval from the wife, and he shows up at my house at 5:30.  We hurry to our local establishment for a quick beer and a shot.  From there we head to the White Marsh Park and Ride, where we board the bus at 6:25.  We make downtown by 6:45, but the bus has to go around the entire stadium before the driver lets us off.  The line to get in the ballpark is enormous and largely dressed in pinstripes.  As we wait, one of the pinstripes waiting behind me (some 200 pound overweight slob) has the nerve to say to some guy in a Red Sox jersey “We call

Quinn Sypniewski injured at practice…

Nestor Aparicio

The players have all spoken out about the major differences between Camp Harbaugh and Camp Billick. Almost every returning player has cited the “intensity” increase. Today, the hard practices claimed a victim. Third-year tight end Quinn Sypniewski collided with Antwan Barnes across the middle on a passing play and got tangled up. Both players went down. Barnes got up. Sypniewski left the field on a cart with what could be a severe knee injury. The players are doing “two-a-day” practices in new coach John Harbaugh’s system and are working in “shell” equipment. Light contact is expected, but certainly this is not what Harbaugh was looking for during his first 48 hours on the field. We’ll keep you updated as we get more information on Sypniewski.        

New York Times piles on Angelos…

Nestor Aparicio

Not that there’s any “new” information in this story, but it is noteworthy that the New York Times is now writing about how sad the situation is in downtown Baltimore on game nights. Here’s the story… In a semi-related piece, the Baltimore Business Journal wrote a listing of how much it costs to go to baseball games throughout MLB. That piece is here…  

So I went to the Orioles game tonight…

Nestor Aparicio

And right now I’m sitting on my couch watching the Birds and the Caps play in extended action. And I went to Oriole Park and actually gave them $9 tonight… Have ANY of you been to a game this year? And if not, why NOT tonight? The team was still above .500. The weather was postcard perfect. And it only cost me $9! I looked high and low for scalpers while my son stood in the L-O-N-G and S-L-O-W lines to get tickets. The Orioles are so bad the scalpers don’t really stock the tickets (or unload them way ahead of time) and they don’t have any “cheap” seats, just the pricier season tickets that come their way. So I bought from “the man” tonight. Of course, I only stayed seven innings. (I left after the back to back home runs came when I was peeing in the restroom behind Sect. 384…I wasn’t in the bathroom 90 seconds and I missed them BOTH!) I left because the third period of the Caps game was starting and I wanted to get home to watch the chase for the goblet. I figured if the Caps were going down in flames (again) in

No excuses tonight…it’s 70 degrees! Come to the O’s game with us!

Nestor Aparicio

Come one, come all. (And ya better hurry cause the damned Yankees are coming to town tomorrow!) We’re encouraging all WNST fans, Orioles fans, Free The Birds fans, beer drinkers and baseball fans to come downtown tonight and watch a baseball game with us. And we hope to do it without giving Peter Angelos a nickel. The party starts at 4:30ish at Regi’s in Federal Hill. Why Regi’s? Because Alan, the owner, is a good guy and when I told him I was trying to put together some happy hours before Orioles games he told me that his bar “used to be a regular stop” for many Orioles fans before games at Camden Yards. Now, like most bars (and I was IN the DSX last night at 6 p.m. and saw the lack of business there…just like the Wharf Rat and Hooters over the past two weeks), his business and clientele don’t even know a game is happening downtown. Hopefully, we can fill up at least a dozen stools at his bar tonight and eat some of his great food and drink some cold beer before we head over to see Jeremy Guthrie battle local-boy Gavin Floyd with the White

Who wants to have a BLAST tonight?

Nestor Aparicio

In my never ending attempt to have fun with my spring and summer, tonight should live up to the expectations. As many of you know, I’ve always been a big advocate of soccer and more specifically, the Blast. The BALTIMORE Blast (note the first name of the franchise) will be hosting the dreaded Milwaukee Wave tonight at the First Mariner Arena and I’m recruiting some folks who want to have fun and enjoy a Wednesday night with a family sport downtown. We’re starting the party at the DSX at 5:30-ish and will roll over to the 7:05 game in time to root on the Blast to a potential semifinal victory and a chance to win a fourth MISL crown. Honestly, I’m just looking to sit with some fun people who love the team and have some fun watching the local guys play. I went to the game last week with my wife and son and we really DID have a Blast. If you haven’t been to a Blast game this year, tonight is as good of an opportunity as any, with this being the final home game of the season. The championship game is set for Saturday, April 26th in

What will be Sept. 7 be like downtown?

Nestor Aparicio

Already the ideas are coming on the big Sept. 7 “doubleheader” downtown. Word is that MLB screwed up the scheduling and had to make those two September dates “TBD.” Ol’ Peter must be PISSED that the Ravens are moving him out of the stadium in September. The last time WBAL pre-empted his baseball team, he pulled away their rights (and of course, granted AM 1090 free speech once again). I DID NOT write this. This was an email from Mike B. I’m just passing it along… Thought the WNST crowd was the perfect bunch to promote this kind of idea if the Orioles could be talked into going along with it. When I saw the Ravens schedule with that Sept 7th home game I had a brain storm for the Orioles to do a good marketing idea. Have a Ravens / Orioles double header. $5 admission to the Orioles game at 6pm on Sunday with a game ticket from the Ravens game. In reality the Orioles will make their game a 7pm start after a 1pm football game and try to avoid all connection with the Ravens game. And parking will surely work out fine. I mean let’s face it.

Ravens Schedule & Liars Luncheon intersect…

Nestor Aparicio

RAVENS 2008 SCHEDULE Preseason: Aug. 7 — at New England, 7:30 Aug. 16 — MINNESOTA, 7:30 Aug. 23 — at St. Louis, 8 Aug. 28 — ATLANTA, 7:30 Regular Season: Sept. 7 – CINCINNATI, 1 Sept. 14 – a Houston, 4:15 Sept. 21 – CLEVELAND, 4:15 Sept. 29 – at Pittsburgh (MNF), 8:30 Oct.  5 – TENNESSEE, 1 Oct. 12 – at Indianapolis, 1 Oct. 19 – at Miami, 1 Oct. 26 – OAKLAND, 1 Nov. 2 – at Cleveland, 1 Nov. 9 — BYE Nov. 16 – at New York Giants, 1 Nov. 23 – PHILADELPHIA, 1 Nov. 30 – at Cincinnati, 1 Dec. 7 – WASHINGTON, 1 Dec. 14 – PITTSBURGH, 1 Dec. 20 – at Dallas, 8:15 (NFL Network) Dec. 28 – JACKSONVILLE, 1 Get the FULL NFL schedule here… I live for this stuff…I really do! ****** As for the “Liars Luncheon,” it’s been fascinating so far. For the first time I can remember, Ozzie Newsome  talked about his playing days and pointed out the sheer volume of quality quarterbacks he played with during Alabama and Cleveland days. He talked about “four traits of great quarterbacks” and he refused to elaborate on the formula, which chuckles

WNST has a friend in need…can you help?

Nestor Aparicio

Anyone who has ever listened to WNST knows his voice. I called him “Papa Bob” when I was on the air and he called me at least once a week for 13 years. Everyone else calls him by his “on air” name, Bob from Parkville. I received some disturbing news yesterday from a listener who ran into Bob on Sunday. Bob from Parkville lost his wife, Dolores, last month. He’s 74 years old. And due to a family circumstance, Bob is about to get evicted on May 15th and has nowhere to live. And Bob needs some help finding an affordable place to call home. So, today at WNST, we’re going to try to find Bob a home. We’re going to have a “Bob-A-Thon” today to find our man a place to live. Bob doesn’t have email or a computer. As we all know, he’s “old school” like that. Bob’s calls are always memorable, and in many ways, he works as the conscience of WNST. Because almost to a word, the advice and virtues he extols are those of my parents (and probably your parents, too). He always talks of the military, Ted Williams, honor, respect and “doing the right

The 2008 Orioles are ‘interesting’ for sure…

Nestor Aparicio

Melvin Mora laying down a bunt. Jay Payton stealing third base. Guys taking pitches and walking. A grand total of 12 singles and a timely home run from Kevin Millar tonight at Camden Yards, and the Orioles are suddenly in sole possession of first place on Tax Day. And the “overmatched” Orioles – or perhaps scrappy is the operative word here – outlasted the Blue Jays, 4-3, tonight and are suddenly 8-5 and as Gary Thorne said many times this evening, “playing the game right.” Or are those Dave Trembley’s words? It was another “friends and family” gathering – maybe 5,000 people, and I wasn’t one of them – but the “not ready for full house” Birds are playing some decent and interesting baseball at home. Granted, Brian Roberts should’ve tagged up. Obviously, Luis Hernandez should’ve been running on contact on the Baltimore (or is it the Orioles?) chop. Jay Payton clearly needs to learn how to slide safely. And the starting pitching is going to be a recurring issue, giving us heartburn with every early game high pitch count, and every Daniel Cabrera (or Cabrera-esque) outing. But these guys have been fun to watch and they’re in every game.

NFL Schedule will be released TOMORROW

Nestor Aparicio

Just got the word that the 2008 NFL schedule will be released tomorrow afternoon. Join our WNST Text Alert service here and we’ll be SURE to get the schedule to you in the palm of your hand the INSTANT that it’s available. Can’t wait to find out when the Redskins are coming to Baltimore for the first time! And when our first trip to Dallas happens… ALSO: The Ravens are holding their annual “Liars Luncheon” tomorrow. It’s always great to watch Ozzie Newsome and Eric Decosta squirm a bit with every evaluation of every player. THEY know who they want. They just don’t want US to know. Hey…whatever gets us the best players, right?  

Who is going to see the first-place O’s tonight?

Nestor Aparicio

The weather forecast appears to say “chilly” and I’m pretty sure the stadium will continue its extremely empty trend, but I’m strongly considering going to the game tonight anyway. I have invited folks down to the stadium a few times already this season with no positive result. It’s been nice spending time with Drew and my wife at the Wharf Rat and Hooters, but it hasn’t resulted in anyone else wanting to come and watch the first-place Orioles in the cold. If you want to see what the crowds REALLY looked like last week: click here. Any of the “OH Say Can You See” videos will tell you all you need to know about the Orioles and their attendance. All of my fears during Free The Birds are coming true. It’s been two years and even LESS people care about the Orioles than ever. Even when they’re in the first place! But I’m still having fun with the 2008 Orioles and I hope to take in the game tonight, if it’s not too miserable outside. Either way, you can mark Thursday night down as a night when you can join us for a ballgame as well. The pre-game bar meet

On the couch with Caps, O’s & Masters…

Nestor Aparicio

What a day to watch sports on TV! Given the crappy weather (well, at least not as good as yesterday…and I did make it to the Nats game the new D.C. ballpark, rainy blogs and videos coming soon!), it’s a fantastic day to be a couch potato – the best one I’ve had in a while. And I know many of you will write to talk about other basketball or NASCAR events the past few months, but for me it’s a “downtime” for fanaticism. The moment when the silver trophy gets raised on the first Sunday of February, it’s like sports goes off a cliff for me for a few months. I just can’t muster the same enthusiasm, but I do like March Madness and stay glued in without really having a rooting interest other than the underdogs. But today, it ratchets back up a few notches. The Orioles are not only interesting (the first time in a LONG time), they are in sole possession of first place in the AL East. They play the Rays at 1:35 today. Burres vs. Niemann (whoever he is). On a personal/media note, it’s nice to see Tom Davis and Rick Dempsey work without

wnsTV takes to you to The Masters in Augusta…

Nestor Aparicio

If you haven’t checked out wnsTV lately, it’s time that you click away and take a tour of our new platform. Just click here or on the WNSTV bar on the upper left and you can see a variety of new videos under each host and topic category. Drew Forrester spent the day on Tuesday walking all 18 holes and has a three-part walking tour under his videos. I’ve been walking Baltimore and going to Orioles games and I’ve been documenting what I’ve seen. We have tons of exclusive stuff with new Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, which is available throughout the platform with Rob Long and Bob Haynie as well. Just click away and enjoy…we make the videos for the WNST listeners to enjoy! There are more than 100 videos now available on our video platform, featuring many members of our staff and the sights and sounds of Baltimore. Hope you check out all of the stuff in our platform when you get some down time.

Thankfully, Bryant Gumbel is done!

Nestor Aparicio

For those of you who love the NFL as much as I do, here’s a happy note on a Saturday morning. Do you remember all of those painful evenings (including when the Ravens played in Cincinnati two years ago in the rain), when Bryant Gumbel gave an “amateur hour” version of how to do play-by-play on the NFL Network? His monotone, ill-conceived adventure into the NFL is thankfully DONE. Apparently, Steve Bornstein or someone at the NFL Network figured out what we knew right around the first kickoff: Gumbel sucks as an NFL play-by-play announcer. Now, coming off of a 5-11 season, it’ll be interesting to see if the Ravens even get any NFL Network games this season. The NFL schedule is coming this week. I can’t wait!    

Andy McPhail is talking…

Nestor Aparicio

But only, of course, to the “official” outlets. Today, an interview with Andy McPhail appeared with Hal Bodley, who was a longtime USA Today reporter who now has apparently switched over to the “management” side, writing a column for mlb.com. But, when you start the season 6-1 (I’m going to pretend that yesterday didn’t happen), you get flattering pieces written about you. There’s some stuff about George Sherrill, some Trembley quotes. Nothing too special, but another example of “sleeping in” journalism. Andy McPhail has been in Baltimore for 10 months. I’ve tried to reach him through various means. I never get a return phone call. A shame… All we’ve ever tried to do at WNST is help the Orioles. I’ve got my cap on tonight! Orioles in Tampa (they can actually win!) Capitals and Flyers doing their 1980’s retro mating dance. The Blast won last night and can close out the round tomorrow night in New Jersey. I’m seriously considering doing the Nats-Braves games tomorrow at 1:05 (weather pending, of course). John Smoltz is pitching for Atlanta. I always liked Smoltz. He used to do my radio show every week when I was syndicated. Well-spoken, nice guy, knew a lot

When is the NFL schedule coming?

Nestor Aparicio

Once St. Patrick’s Day rolls around, I don’t think a day goes by when someone doesn’t ask me or email me about the NFL schedule release. If you want to be the first to get the NFL schedule, click here and join our text service now! GUARANTEED, it’ll be in your phone within 2 minutes of when we get it! It’s absolutely a “state secret” in the world of the NFL. The league guards it, protects and doesn’t leak an iota of information ANYWHERE. I’ve often wondered why, but when I see, hear and feel all of the fervor and anticipation for it, I realize that inaccurate leaks would cause a crazy effect on hotels, airlines, people’s lives, etc. Honestly, aren’t you one of those people who plans your entire LIFE around the Ravens in the fall? Weddings, holidays, weekends and “what Sunday are they home?” kinda questions all revolve around whether the team is home or away. For me, it dictates what CITY I’m going to be in and when, so it’s super intense for my calendar and I wait for it as much as anyone. My life literally revolves around it! My moles tell me the schedule is

Who is rooting for the Caps?

Nestor Aparicio

In a town that is woefully devoid of hockey love (and has chased its fair share of minor league hockey franchises away over the years), I’m once again in danger of catching Stanley Cup Fever. After loving hockey immensely during my youth and covering the Skipjacks and Capitals in a previous life in the 1980’s (I made a video on Wednesday night of my Caps love…click here to view), I have come to grips with the realities of hockey. There are two kinds of people in the world: those who love hockey and those who laugh at hockey. If you’ve ever seen the movie “Slapshot” — a cult classic for any sports fan — you know that hockey is the one sport (and pro wrestling is NOT a sport) that can laugh at itself a bit. Hockey has a sense of humor. The Canadian accents. The fights. The excitement of the score and the horn and buzzers going off. Yet when it comes to the chase for Lord Stanley’s goblet, it’s no laughing matter. Hockey fans take the Cup — the one prize in sport that never changes (there’s ONLY one Cup!) — and the chase for it during April

King Peter emerges to speak

Nestor Aparicio

It didn’t take long. Apparently, front running even needs a frontrunner now that the Orioles are going well. But, where would Peter Angelos be if the team were 1-6, not 6-1? And why does he only take questions once a year, covertly, and only offer to accept questions from “legitimate” media members like Jeff Barker of The Sun. Memo/question for Barker (and I don’t know him at all): Were you offered the chance for follow-ups, dude? Today’s interview in The Sun almost reads like a comedy. After many years of being incensed by Angelos’ comments, actions and general arrogance and indifference to what his customers want, I now must find some sheer comedy in it to make it more palatable and to not go insane. It’s almost Mr. Magoo-ish in its sheer perversity. If the city and the Inner Harbor weren’t decaying on summer nights while the team has chased away all but a handful of its true fan base, it might be a comedy. But I was there with the 2,000 people during the National Anthem on Monday afternoon (and it WASN’T that cold, and I’m a wuss!) and it wasn’t funny. And I was there with the 6,000

A great week of sports for the area

Nestor Aparicio

Let’s start with the obvious: the Orioles are off to their best start in recent memory. Pick a game, any game in the last week, and there have been reasons to cheer. Good pitching from the bullpen, adequate starts from everyone but Daniel Cabrera and timely hitting late in games. It’s hard to argue with six wins in a row, sole possession of first place and a different star every day (even if it is Aubrey Huff, who was 4-for-4 yesterday). I watched all of yesterday’s drilling of the Texas Rangers and seeing the emergence of some team chemistry and new, young stars is a great thing for the franchise. Now, if they could only figure out how to market their new young players and get some people to the ballpark to see these players. It’s also nice to be looking forward to their games every day as if they have some meaning. It’s been a long time since they’ve played games that have any significance. At least for the time being, they’re in the race. And, because I don’t really expect them to compete all summer (I’d settle for an interesting spring), I’m going to enjoy what little bit

Feel the Oriole Magic happen circa 2008

Nestor Aparicio

It was definitely a “friends and family” gathering at Oriole Park at Camden Yards today, as about 4,000 showed up to witness what would be another fine chapter in how the 2008 season is getting off to a fun start if you love baseball. The Orioles fell behind early. Daniel Cabrera continues to be an enigma. Brian Roberts is a joy to watch play the game. The bullpen did its job once again in flawless fashion. And today’s hero was the offseason’s goat, as Aubrey Huff continued to try to “hit his way” into Baltimore’s collective heart with a solo homer in the eighth to sweep Seattle in four straight. With a stadium that was less than 10% full today, he’s got a lot more slugging to do to win back Baltimore. It’s easy to lay off of Huff when he’s doing his job. He did it today. But what he did in November still should be properly addressed by him within the community if he expects to stop getting booed at home. For me, having respect for the community is more important than him hitting late-inning home runs, but that’s just me. It was cold today, no doubt, but

Orioles should open the gates for FREE today to the entire city…FAN APPRECIATION DAY!

Nestor Aparicio

So, I’m digging baseball this year. I’ve watched parts of games or a little bit of “Baseball Tonight” more than usual this week. I tried to go to the game on Thursday, got rained on. I went to the game on Friday night, and it was so-so. The crowd was quite small (see National Anthem video here), it got a little cold for my tastes and the people around me weren’t very spirited. I did have a good time at the Wharf Rat before the game (see videos at wnsTV here). But it’s always fun when Melvin Mora goes into the hole and comes up throwing. It’s fun when home runs fly out of the park. And the sounds of a baseball game are a joy to hear. And, if the crowd’s joy level is indicated in sheer volume, the Orioles should play the crab shell game and the hot dog race between every inning and allow wagers behind specific sections to raise money for charity. But this is a “fresh” team – a group of interesting new young talent — that has been fun to watch over the first week of the season. I’m trying to figure out Lu-u-u-u-ke

Meet the new boss…

Nestor Aparicio

Yesterday John Harbaugh made the first of many decisions that Brian Billick would have never made. On a dreary, 52-degree

A weekend of sports…

Nestor Aparicio

For anyone wondering if John Harbaugh has the ear and the participation of his new team, his actions over the

Kentucky Derby picks…

Nestor Aparicio

I’ve been away for a couple of days and haven’t had a chance to write about the Kentucky Derby. So,

An Average Joe?

Nestor Aparicio

Many of you know it (and some of you don’t), but I’m the new sports columnist for the daily paper

I love the NFL Draft

Nestor Aparicio

Unpredictability. Differing opinions. Mel Kiper’s hair. Cold beer and great food at Looney’s North in Bel Air. Another first-round quarterback.

Andy McPhail is talking…

Nestor Aparicio

But only, of course, to the “official” outlets. Today, an interview with Andy McPhail appeared with Hal Bodley, who was

King Peter emerges to speak

Nestor Aparicio

It didn’t take long. Apparently, front running even needs a frontrunner now that the Orioles are going well. But, where

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